Mop wringer



J. J. NICHOLS Oct. 22, 1968 MOP WRINGER Filed Aug. 22, 1966 S A0 5 EN r v M WA fir J1 .J 5 0 J95 95 Z Z1 Z2 1 a L316 g United States Patent 3,406,422 MOP WRlNGER Joseph J. Nichols, 1613 26th St. W., Birmingham, Ala. 35204 Filed Aug. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 574,014 3 Claims. (Cl. l263) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mop wringer embodying an upwardly flaring recep tacle having drainage passageways theret-hrough and a spiral-like mop engaging member projecting inwardly thereof with the distance the innermost edge of the spirallike member projects inwardly progressively increasing toward the lower end of the receptacle.

This invention relates to a mop wringer and more particularly to apparatus for receiving and holding the outermost fibers of a household type mop while the handle thereof is rotated to thus squeeze cleaning or rinsing solution therefrom.

An object of my invention is to provide a mop wringer which shall include an upwardly flaring, perforated receptacle of a size to receive a mop and an inwardly projecting spiral-like member on the inner surface of the receptacle in position to grip the outermost fibers of the mop whereby they are restrained from rotation as the handle of the mop is rotated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mop wringer of the character designated in which the lower end of the mop receiving receptacle is supported adja cent the center of an outer container which is adapted to hold a cleaning or rinsing solution.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mop wringer of the character designated in which the lower end of the receptacle for the mop is connected to outer portions of a convex bottom member having an outwardly and downwardly sloping upper surface.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a mop wringer of the character designated which shallbe extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which may be maintained in a clean and a sanitary condition at all times with a minimum of effort.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the mop wringer showing the means for supporting the same;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partly broken away;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged, fragmental views taken generally along the lines 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 and 66, respectively, of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show a container 10 for holding a cleaning or rinsing solution S, such as water. The container 10 is shown as having an upwardly flaring, annular side wall 11 and a bottom wall 12. Secured rigidly to the center of the bottom wall 12 is an upstanding sup port member 13 having external threads, as shown in FIG. 1. Threadedly connected to the threaded support member 13 is the lower end of a vertical support member 14.

Secured to the upper end of the support member 14 is a mop receiving receptacle indicated generally at 16. The upper end of the vertical support member 14 is shown as being formed integrally with a convex bottom member 17 having an outwardly and downwardly sloping upper surface, as shown in FIG. 1.

Patented Oct. 22, 1968 "ice The mop receiving receptacle 16 is provided with an upwardly flaring side wall 18 which is generally funnelshaped, as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of spaced apart openings or perforations 19 are provided in the side wall 18 and the bottom member 17, as shown, to permit free drainage of the solution squeezed from the mop. Angularly spaced, inwardly projecting spiral-like members 21 are carried by the inner surface of the upwardly flaring side wall 18. The spiral-like members extend from an upper portion of the receptacle 16 to the lower portion thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in position to grip a mop in response to relative rotation of the mop and the receptacle 16.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the included angle 22 defined by the inner surface of the upwardly flaring, conical wall 18 and the innermost surface of each spirallike member 21 progressively increases toward the lower end of the receptacle 16. Also, the distance the innermost edge of each spiral-like member projects inwardly of the receptacle 16 progressively increases toward the lower end of the receptacle. Accordingly, the lower portions of the spiral-like members 21 are in position to provide a better grip with the fibers of the mop as the handle of the mop is rotated. That is, by progressively increasing the included angle defined by the inner surface of the receptacle and the innermost surface of the spiral-like member 21, the inner edge of the spiral-like member 21 projects further inwardly of the receptacle in position to engage the lower end of the mop. This not only provides a better grip between the spiral-like members 21 and the mop at the lower end of the receptacle 16, but also compensates for the downwardly converging shape of a conventional type mop.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved mop wringer will be readily understood. The lower end of the vertical support member 14 is detachably connected to the threaded member 13, as shown in FIG. 1, whereby the receptacle 16 is supported at the center of the container 10. A cleaning or rinsing solution S is introduced into the container 10, the upper surface of the solution S being below the lower end of the receptacle 16, as shown. The mop to be wrung is positioned within the receptacle 16 whereby the exterior fibers of the mop engage the spiral-like members 21. The handle of the mop is then twisted whereby the mop is wrung into a tight or compact mass. The mop is then pushed down lightly against its own twist onto the convex bottom wall 17 whereby the solution is further removed from the mop. It will be understood that the solution wrung from the mop is discharged through the openings 19 and then collected in the container 10. To remove the mop from the wringer, the direction of rotation of the handle is reversed slightly until the spiral-like members 21 release the fibers of the mop whereby the mop can be lifted out of the larger portion of receptacle 16.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved mop wringer. By providing a mop wringer having upwardly flaring side walls, the wringer is adapted to accommodate different size mops and at the same time the same wringing effect is obtained. Also, by providing the inwardly projecting, spiral-like members on the inner surface of the receptacle, the lower portion and sides of the mop are firmly gripped as the handle of the mop is rotated in one direction and the mop is readily released by merely rotating the handle in the opposite direction. Furthermore, by supporting the receptacle 16 adjacent the center of the container 10, the receptacle is at the center of the mass surrounding the same whereby an equal pressure is exerted at all sides of the receptacle 16 to hold the receptacle stationary as the mop is wrung. Furthermore, by providing a vertical support member which the solution S, the recept'aclem'ay be readily attached to and removed from the container 10.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A mop wringer comprising:

' (a) an upwardly flaring receptacle of a size to receive a mop,

(b) there being a plurality of drainage passageways through said receptacle,

(0) at least one spiral-like member formed integrally with the inner surface of said receptacle and extending from an upper portion of said receptacle to a lower portion thereof in position to'grip a mop upon relative rotation of sa'id'mop and said receptacle, and (d) the distance the innermost edge of said spiral-like member projects inwardly of said receptacle prol 4 gressively increasing toward the lower end of said recept'aclei v 2. In a mop wringer as defined in claim 1 in which the included angle defined by the inner surface of said receptacle and the innermost surface of said spiral-like member progressively increases toward the lower end of said receptacle.

3. A mop Wringer as defined in claim l-in which the lower end of said receptacle is mounted adjacent the center of an outer container which is adapted to hold a solution and an upstanding threaded member is carried by the central portion ofsaid container in position to engage a depending threaded member carried by the lower end of said receptacle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 377,157 1/1888 Hotchkiss 15-26'3 1,882,918 10/1932 Robb l5263 2,143,846 1/1939 Giddings l5263 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. LEON G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner. 

